Queens River Eclipse Trip 2017 Day 1

I've never seen the trail head this crowded - and I'm not even getting all the cars in this shot - and this is the Friday before the eclipse. 

Though we originally planned to go up the Little Queens and make the loop, my ankle injury changed our plans to an out and back up the Queens. 

We got started nice and early so my slow pace would still allow us to make our planned campsite in daylight.

A nice easy stream crossing - as it should be, in August.

Ambrose wanted to make sure I didn't stumble at any of the stream crossings.

This log was pretty damp, so rather than risk it on my still-painful ankle, I hopped across to the right. 

This area has always been beautiful to me, and I've loved watching the burned areas grow back over the years. 

A most excellent rock to sit against for our first break.

The trail goes up above the ridge to avoid a swampy area - though it's pretty dry this time of year.

The large tree I remembered from last year was still there, much to my disappointment. 

Ambrose crossed three times so I could cross without my pack on. We figured that would be safer with my ankle still wobbly. He's my hero.

The cross back did not go quite as planned. Since last year, the Queens River has rerouted itself from its prior banks.

We made it across, only to find another section of the trail, near the bog, had been rerouted due to a lot of dead trees blocking the former trail. 

A much easier stream crossing - but he's still waiting for me to pass safely.

We're getting closer to where the trail turns towards Nanny Creek.

I was glad to see most of the trail still looked the same.

Purple monkey flowers!

I had really been hoping this tree would be trimmed, but it was still there. I went under this time.

Every time a distant ridge appeared, Ambrose would ask if that was the Nanny Creek notch, and it never was. 

Ripe huckleberries! My favorite!

The crossing of the Queens River by Nanny Creek was also significantly redesigned by the winter weather. I think it got easier, but I only  had to cross once and I didn't fall like Ambrose did.